Director, Board Governance

University Pension Plan Ontario; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

As the Director of Board Governance at a leading pension plan organization, you will ensure effective governance and support the Board of Trustees. This leadership role involves strategic oversight, operational excellence, and collaborative relationships within a progressive team dedicated to serving over 41,000 members. The role values equity, inclusivity, and ongoing innovation for a sustainable future.

Benefits

Work from abroad up to eight weeks/year

Extended paramedical and mental health service coverage

Education Assistance program

Qualifications

• A strong preference for a law degree and Bar Association membership.
• Significant corporate governance experience within financial services is preferred.
• Skills in communication, collaboration, and problem-solving are crucial.

Responsibilities

• Support effective functioning of UPP’s Board of Trustees.
• Act as a governance advisor and oversee the Secretariat function.
• Lead and coordinate Board and Committee meetings.

Skills

Governance

Strategic advice

Operational Excellence

Collaboration

Communication

Education

University degree in Law

Tools

Diligent BoardBooks

Job description

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Our Company Background & Culture

UPP is the first pension plan of its kind in Ontario’s university sector, proudly serving over 41,000 members across five universities and fourteen sector organizations. Our purpose is to bring greater retirement peace of mind to the university sector by investing with integrity and serving members with care. As a sector-wide plan designed for growth, our doors are open to all Ontario universities.

Our Company Background & Culture

UPP is the first pension plan of its kind in Ontario’s university sector, proudly serving over 41,000 members across five universities and fourteen sector organizations. Our purpose is to bring greater retirement peace of mind to the university sector by investing with integrity and serving members with care. As a sector-wide plan designed for growth, our doors are open to all Ontario universities.

Together, we’re a team of progressive thinkers and agile doers operating within a fast-paced culture of collaboration and respect. We believe in bringing smart and capable people together to create, solve, and grow with a clear shared vision and values of integrity, inclusivity, ingenuity, and impact. Our culture is intentionally welcoming and purposefully rooted in equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation (EDI&R). We believe diverse teams, perspectives, and lived experiences contribute to better decisions and a better workplace.

As a pension plan, UPP approaches investing through a long-term lens to generate and safeguard value. Our commitment to investing responsibly accounts for material risks that impact our investment portfolio to generate sufficient risk-adjusted returns to meet the pension needs of our members.

Join us in building a bright future for our members, our organization, and each other.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the General Counsel, the Director, Board Governance plays a key role in supporting the effective functioning of UPP’s Board of Trustees. The Director works closely with UPP’s leadership to administer the Plan’s governance model and, at the Board’s discretion, assists in the discharge of its duties and responsibilities.

The Director serves as a trusted governance advisor to both the Board and UPP management, collaborating regularly with the Executive Leadership Team on governance processes, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. All functions are carried out in a respectful and collegial manner that fosters an effective and cooperative relationship between the Board and management.

To ensure the smooth operation of the Secretariat function, the Director oversees the Senior Paralegal, Board Governance, and coordinates closely with the Chief of Staff and the CEO’s Executive Assistant, who provides administrative support such as posting materials to the Board portal (Diligent). Seamless collaboration between the Secretariat, Joint Sponsors, the Board, the CEO, and UPP’s executive leadership is critical.

As a young and evolving organization, UPP’s governance functions are still being built and refined. The Director will play an important role in developing and embedding good governance practices, with significant growth potential in both responsibilities and seniority as UPP matures.

This role is based in Toronto’s financial district with a hybrid work model (approximately two days per week in office) and may require occasional travel within Ontario.

If this sounds like you — or someone you know — we’d love to hear from you. For inquiries or to apply please email Amanda Bassin, President at Persuit Group your resume at [e-mail]

Key Accountabilities

The Director, Board Governance plays a key role in supporting the effective functioning of UPP’s Board of Trustees, providing governance leadership, operational excellence, and strategic advice to ensure strong oversight and decision-making as UPP continues to grow. The Director supports UPP in maintaining high standards of governance and ensuring the efficient operation of the Board and Secretariat. The successful candidate will also supervise, train, and develop the Senior Paralegal, ensuring both their growth and the effective execution of Secretariat operations.

The Director Will

• Act as a key governance advisor to UPP’s leadership and the Board, providing expertise on governance matters.
• Lead and oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of Board and Committee meetings, materials, and processes.
• Supervise, train, and develop the Senior Paralegal, Board Governance, while ensuring the efficient operation of the Secretariat, including document management and Board communications.
• Coordinate closely with the CEO’s Office, Chief of Staff, and Joint Sponsors to facilitate seamless governance interactions.
• Support the continued development and refinement of governance frameworks, policies, and processes to align with best practices.
• Ensure that all governance activities are conducted in a respectful, collaborative, and collegial manner.
• As UPP grows, the Director will have the opportunity to expand their role and influence, helping shape the governance function within a purpose-driven and dynamic organization.

Governance

• Acts as the primary point of contact on Board operations for the Board Chair, Trustees, President & CEO (the CEO), management, and others.
• Supports the General Counsel and Board Secretary (Executive Lead to the Governance Committee) in the provision of strategic governance advice and Board management.
• Facilitates open and effective communication between the Board Chair, the Board, and management.
• Ensures Board governance policies are effectively implemented, related reporting and disclosure obligations are met, and supports the overall integrity of UPP’s governance framework.
• Keeps the Board Chair, Board, and management informed and up to date on evolving governance practices and developments, particularly for jointly-sponsored pension plans.
• Monitors and reports on progress against annual Board Effectiveness Action Plans.

Board Operations / Board and Committee Meetings

• Develops and maintains a collegial and respectful working relationship with UPP management, particularly with the Chief of Staff, to support the coordination and production of high-quality Board materials, including contributing directly to content drafting, editing, and refinement.
• Supports and advises UPP Committee Executive Leads in the development and maintenance of annual workplans for the Board and Committees.
• Meets regularly with UPP’s Executive Leadership Team for collaboration, problem-solving, and engagement on key governance processes (e.g., Board and Committee agendas).
• Ensures the efficient operation of UPP’s governance model, including hands-on preparation and production of Board and Committee materials, coordination with Secretariat members, meeting constitution, minute-taking, action item tracking, and rollout of approved policies.
• Coordinates with the Governance Committee to maintain and ensure regular review and updates to Board policies, role descriptions, by-laws, operating procedures, and mandates.
• Supports the General Counsel and Board Secretary in the oversight of conflict-of-interest management and implementation of conduct standards.
• Ensures Trustee remuneration and expenses are administered per applicable policy.

Records

• Maintains Board records and ensures accessibility of current and historical documents to Trustees, the CEO, and UPP leadership.
• Ensures security, confidentiality, and controlled access to Board records, including maintenance of the secure Board portal.

Board Stewardship

• Plans and coordinates onboarding and orientation for new Trustees.
• Plans and coordinates offboarding for departing Trustees.
• Supports and facilitates continuing education and development for Trustees in accordance with Board education policies.
• Advises on governance practices and facilitates Board, Committee, and Trustee effectiveness reviews.

Other

• Conducts research and analysis to assist the Board Chair, Committee Chairs, and Trustees in decision-making.
• Coordinates the development, regular review, and updates of UPP’s organizational policies and frameworks.
• Maintains UPP’s policy library and ensures policy governance alignment with organizational needs.
• Tracks and reports on metrics within the Secretariat’s scope.
• Serves as registrar for pension benefit appeals heard by the Pension Services Committee.
• Ensures proper documentation and tracking of Management Committee meetings, including minutes, action items, and resolutions.
• Supports the General Counsel and Board Secretary in the development and refinement of policies, records retention, and knowledge management systems.

First Year Success Metrics

• Successfully lead the planning and execution of Board and Committee meetings, ensuring timely, accurate, and high-quality materials and processes.
• Build strong working relationships with the Board Chair, CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and key governance stakeholders, becoming a trusted and solution-oriented advisor.
• Enhance and formalize governance policies, Board operations, and Secretariat processes, with an emphasis on continuous improvement and operational precision.
• Support the evolution of the Secretariat toward a more strategic and advisory role while maintaining flawless execution of Board responsibilities.
• Establish clear reporting, tracking, and communication practices within the Secretariat, including oversight of the Senior Paralegal.

Qualifications & Experience

• A university degree in Law and active membership in a Bar Association of any Canadian province or territory are strongly preferred.
• Significant corporate governance and corporate secretarial experience, specifically within a financial services organization will be considered an asset.
• Experience working with Diligent BoardBooks or similar board portal software application.
• Experience working with Senior Management, Executives, and Board of Directors.
• Detailed knowledge and demonstrated experience advising on governance matters, processes and practices, including prior experience working with Board of Directors
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the role and responsibilities of the Board and its Committees
• Ability to communicate and represent the organization in a highly professional manner with tact and diplomacy
• Experience either supervising or managing at least one (1) individual will be considered an asset.
• The flexibility of work hours to ensure results are met in a fast-paced environment of changing and conflicting priorities and high timeline demands.
• Ability to co-ordinate multiple tasks with a high level of initiative and ability to work well with minimum direction ensuring deadlines are met.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Excellent written, oral and proofreading skills
• Must be able to communicate complex matters in a concise and simplified way
• Must have good judgement, strong analytical skills, think abstractly, have high standard of professional conduct
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, including the handling of confidential information and deal with sensitive matters and information in a discreet manner.

ATTRIBUTES

• Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to confidential situations, exercising sound judgment
• Drives results by effectively ranking priorities and delivering key initiatives
• Builds open, transparent, and mutually beneficial professional relationships
• Leads with a results-driven approach while fostering collaboration and teamwork
• Brings a self-motivated, hands-on attitude
• Embodies a lifelong learning mindset with a keen interest in applying new business practices and leading technologies
• Communicates effectively, both in writing and verbally
• Champions innovation and continuous improvement
• Proactively solves problems with initiative and creativity
• Takes ownership and accountability for outcomes
• Strives for excellence in all deliverables
• Aligns with UPP’s commitment to leadership in Responsible Investing, ESG, and climate change

LIFE AT UPP

Do work that matters . We are duty-bound to serve our members’ interests, and it’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly. That’s why we’ve ingrained sustainability in our work from day one—to ensure our members have a resilient future to retire into, both today and for generations to come.

Stronger together . Collaboration is how UPP was born, and it’s how we work with each other and our partners day in, day out. No one at UPP is just a number (even if they are excellent at math) and every win is a shared win.

Grow every day . You’ll have the opportunity to work on unique, once-in-a-career projects that maximize your skill set and probably teach you some new ones—at any stage in your career.

Prioritize wellness . At UPP, wellness takes many forms. Ultimately, it’s about ensuring our people are cared for in the ways that matter to them. Check out some highlights of our inclusive employee-focused benefits program including :

• Work from abroad up to eight weeks / year
• Extended paramedical and mental health service coverage
• Health care and lifestyle spending accounts
• Fertility treatments, paid parental leave, and gender affirmation coverage
• Education Assistance program

UPP enthusiastically welcomes applications from all qualified applicants and especially invites people with lived experience as an Indigenous person, a person with a disability or as a member of another Human Rights Code protected group that faces barriers to employment to apply. Our goal is to create a barrier-free experience for every candidate throughout the recruitment process, so if you require accommodation at any point during the process, please let us know so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. It would be our honor to work with you to adapt our processes to ensure that you can meaningfully participate.

UPP respects your privacy. For information on how UPP handles the personal information you provide during the application process, please see our Job Applicant Privacy Statement.

Seniority level

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Job function

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